Pat's Service Center & Towing has filed suit against the city of Worcester, claiming the termination of their towing contract was "unlawful and politically motivated."

The company filed a civil suit in U.S. District Court Thursday, which "accuses municipal officials of breaching the city's contract with the towing company and violating the constitutional rights of its owner, Patsy Santa Maria Sr.," the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.

The suit seeks an injunction to force the city to honor their five-year towing contract and monetary damages.

The city's contract with Pat's was broken Thursday in light of pending criminal charges against the Santa Maria family.

In early August, Santa Maria Sr. was arraigned on charges of intimidation of a witness, attempting to suborn perjury and two counts of conspiracy. Worcester Police say the 72-year-old attempted to intimidate a witness in connection with his son's case.

Two of his sons, 42-year-old Patsy Jr. of Boylston and 44-year-old David of Worcester, are currently facing charges of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery.

Worcester police say the charges were filed against the sons two years ago after they allegedly beat a man at their father's business.

Assistant District Attorney Daniel J. Bennett said Santa Maria Sr. arranged for Scott Johnson, a 45-year-old North Brookfield resident who works for the 72-year-old, to approach a witness testifying against his son. The Telegram reports Johnson said Patsy Sr. would "take care of him very well" if he was to "tweak" his testimony.

The witness, whose name was not made public, contacted Worcester police. Worcester police listened in on future communication between the witness and Johnson.

During a phone call, Bennett alleges the man told Johnson he would change his testimony for $25,000.

The man allegedly met with Johnson and Santa Maria Sr. in a Leicester parking lot where, the Telegram reports, the elder Santa Maria said he would give him $5,000 before the trial and $20,000 more if his son was not convicted.

After details of the case were made public, many, including city officials, called for the termination of the city's contract.

"I take this action solely in the interest of public safety because of recent actions and judgments involving employees, recent serious allegations of illegalities by the owner of record and details presented to me by the Chief of Police Gary Gemme," City Manager Michael V. O'Brien wrote in a statement to City Council Sept. 4 informing the Council the city's contract would be terminated Sept. 13.

Worcester Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said there is a history of violence at the towing location that goes deeper than the recent charges against Santa Maria Sr. and his sons. The department responded to 261 calls from the Shrewsbury Street business in the past five years.